Petrol to be Rs 2 less across India from Friday

Petrol prices across India will cost between Rs. 1.89 and Rs 2.38 per litre less from August 15. “Price of petrol will be reduced from midnight of 14/15 August 2014 in the range of Rs. 1.89-2.38 (Rs 2.18/litre in Delhi),” petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan tweeted on Wednesday. The move follows a fall in global oil prices.

HT had reported on Wednesday that petrol prices would be cut by Rs 2 per litre. This is, perhaps, the first time that a minister has announced a reduction in fuel prices after petrol prices were freed from government control in June 2010. Till now, state-owned oil firms announced the price revision a few hours before the change took effect to prevent hoarding by petrol pump owners. However, Pradhan made the announcement more than 31 hours before the price cut will take effect.

Following the revision, petrol in Delhi will cost Rs 70.33 per litre from Friday against Rs 72.51 per litre currently. Oil firms had last cut rates on August 1 by Rs 1.09 per litre.